Miami-Dade Police Lured Robbers to the Redland, Then Shot Them

Michael Miller’s “Death Trap: Miami-Dade Police Lured Robbers to the Redland, Then Shot Them” was recognized by several organizations in 2013. It was the winning story for Deadline Reporting in the 2012 Sigma Delta Chi Awards; a finalist in the 2013 Media for a Just Society Awards; and 2nd place winner for General News Reporting in the 2013 Green Eyeshade Awards. Finally, Miller was named South Florida SPJ's Journalist of the Year based on his entry that included "Death Trap."

Roger Gonzalez Jr. guides the car full of thieves through the Redland, past the groves of mango trees glowing blood red against the evening sky, toward a beige building with a large yard and a black Mercedes-Benz parked in front. He slows down. His father, Roger Sr., calmly checks the ammunition in his handgun. So do the three other passengers. They've all done this before.

Rosendo Betancourt — a skinny, high-strung ex-con only ten months out of prison — points to the house. There are 20 pounds of yerba (marijuana) inside, he says in Spanish. Then, for the sake of the lone non-Cuban in the car — a broad-chested, 36-year-old African-American named Antonio Andrew — Betancourt translates: "The shit is in the freezer."

Gonzalez's father barks out the plan: Cut the chainlink fence, get in the house, tie up the pot growers, and steal the $60,000 drug stash. Junior parks the getaway car on a side street and waits behind the wheel. The four others slip ski masks over their faces. Dressed in black, they slip through a mango nursery and approach from the south. They slice through the fence with bolt cutters. Then, weapons in hand, they creep toward the house.

Courtesy of Ladonna Florence

Antonio Andrew celebrates his son A.J.'s first birthday in 1995.

Michael E. Miller

The Redland house where Miami-Dade police ambushed the robbers.

Andrew silently sucks the swampy air through his mask. The only sound is the squelch of his sneakers sinking into the rain-drenched lawn. The four thieves drift through the trees like wraiths.

But hidden among the shadows, dozens of gunmen follow the intruders' every step through the scopes of Colt M4 Commando assault rifles. The robbers don't know it, but their stealth is an illusion; their surprise attack, a cruel joke.

Suddenly, an unmarked van bursts through the back gate with a crack of snapping metal, tears across the lawn, and slides to a halt. A half-dozen men in black gear jump out, shouting. The panicked gangsters scatter. A volley of gunshots explodes, rapid-fire like a string of fireworks.

By the time the ambush ends, the four robbers' lifeless bodies lie scattered across the lawn. Andrew made it the farthest. His bullet-riddled corpse is only a few yards from the fence.

It was a ruthless, professional hit. But the killers weren't pot growers protecting their contraband; they were cops. The whole robbery had been a setup. And Betancourt — a "cooperating defendant" who had helped authorities lay the trap — was among the four dead on the grass.

The June 30, 2011 sting was one of the bloodiest police operations in Miami history. It was also one of the most controversial. Police have yet to issue a report but admit the robbers never fired their weapons. Betancourt's family claimed police had betrayed the informant. Cops blamed him for disobeying orders.

"He was told not to participate in this action at all," Miami-Dade Police Department Director James Loftus said coldly. The chief showed even less sympathy for the other dead men, arguing they were responsible for a string of violent home invasions. "This group was prone to... duct-taping their victims and even torturing [them]," he said. "This is one criminal enterprise that has been interdicted and dealt with."

Gonzalez's gang was, indeed, armed and dangerous. But a New Times investigation raises questions about the deadly operation that cops used to take down the group. The operation was the third, nearly identical sting to go horribly wrong in the past six years, leaving seven suspects dead, apparently with no shots fired at police. While cops claim the setup was the only way to take out the thieves' savvy ringleader, Roger Gonzalez Sr., they neglect to mention he was out of jail only because he'd worked as their informant.

The other men killed in the raid weren't all the murderous felons Loftus portrayed. Betancourt was trying to turn his life around by ending Gonzalez's crime spree, and Andrew wasn't a violent criminal but a simple-minded car thief. A stray bullet to the head as a child had left him mentally impaired and easily impressionable, his family says. When money from a lawsuit mysteriously disappeared, he turned to a life of petty crime.

"I knew Antonio like the back of my hand," says Ladonna Florence, the mother of his child. "He wasn't a saint. But can't nobody tell me that he was dangerous."

"The police chose the perfect spot, led him there, and then shot him," Ladonna says. "I feel like this was premeditated murder."

It was a February evening in 1988 when Antonio Andrew was shot for the first time.

The handsome 12-year-old was playing basketball with friends in Sherbondy Park, a dusty playground next to Opa-locka City Hall, when a fight broke out nearby. A young man called "Twin," mumbling and shouting erratically, had wandered into the park's karate dojo. Stacey Hill, a postman and part-time karate instructor, had thrown Twin out of his class. An hour later, however, he was back — and angry.

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I
ask myself, if the informant was involved in previous robberies why
would Roger explain to Mr.B in the video how to commit a robbery? If he
was involved in those robberies he would of been a professional and
nothing to explain. Not only because I know
Mr.B as a wonderful friend I also witnessed a WONDERFUL Son, Father and
Husband. This individual has a bigger heart than most people in this
world. Opening doors for the elders. Always with a smile and very
social. Giving money or helping the homeless even if he didn't have much
himself are just a few things about him. I hear the news about this
money that the family is entitled to and that the victims are upset. I
am 100% positive that if anyone had the power to put the men who did
this to him behind bars the family will give every last penny received
from a settlement to that person. There are no words to explain the
feeling and empty space his children are still going through. Those are
the victims!! The homes who were robbed and tortured should Thank him
everyday that he gave his life that day to stop from others to go
through what they went through. There is a God up there and I hope it
opens many peoples hearts and eyes that they used him as bait and killed
him. Now who are the real killers? Police are not authorized to kill
anyone especially if he was working with them!! Now since they messed up
they want to put him out there as a criminal, but when he was helping
the police they would say he is being a good citizen. Even the robbers
which were real bad people should of had a trial and if the Judge
decides death sentence then proceed, but 52 unjustified shots and cops
don't get charged!!! All those who also helps cover this up is as guilty
as the person who pulled the trigger!

Oh and loving mom miss concerned saying gods name then saying they got what they deserveded they deserved to go to prison not murdered and I'm sorry to hear what happened to your daughters but being so joyful about people getting murdered when they should have went to prison doesn't sit well with me these guys went to steal marijuana right makes me wonder what your family was involved in so i wouldn't throw rocks and if your family was involved in illegal activities I wouldn't want to see the cops kill them either they should go to prison as well. No one should be above the law

It is very disturbing to read some of these comments these sorry excuse for police officers murdered four people im not condoning what these guys were doing going around robbing drug dealers is wrong .selling drugs is also wrong but from understanding they didn't murder no one . in this day and age there millions of lost people these guys should have had there day in court and went to prison that's every ones right . theese cops shot these guys in the back and while they were laying on the ground giving up. Which I think is a more criminal act then robbery .cops already get away with so much now were gonna let them get away with murder and for what i here this is not the first time this same group has murder some one . they even planted evidence and moved the bodies around I don't fucking believe there aren't more people outraged every single operation these pigs (and then they wonder why people call them pigs)have done should go under review how many other times have they tampered with evidence forget about these four guys they murdered police officers should be honest and follow the law there police officers for god sakes . are you telling me all you guys want police officers who shoot people in the back laying on the floor giving up .then lie and tamper with evidence after fist bumping I think they should go to prison and all there arrests should go under review to make sure they haven't falsified any other cases I wish some one would do a petition to let the Miami Dade police dept. Know that the citizens of Miami are not going to take this lying down so we can get shot in the back to!! Justice for all !!!!!! Not just for some!!!!!!!!

Its very disturbing to read some of these comments .I understand they were robbing people they were robbing drug dealers but from my under standing they didn't murder no one those cops went out that day and murdered 4 people and now want to lie there way out of it moving bodies planting evidence and then fist bumping but it was an accident I'm sure. Murders should be put in prison just like robbers and theives should be.and by letting those sorry excuse of police officers get away it. Its just gonna make things worst they already get away with to much arresting people for no reason beating people lying on police reports now there getting away with murder and for what I here this isn't the first time this group has murder some one . just wait till its some one u know .murder is against the law to .people shouldnt rob or get away with murder!!!!!

No offense to anyone, but no one knows our story
which was never published.

These 4
animals, brutally broke into a home in Broward County, woke my
daughters up from their sleep (not to mention my baby had
just came home from college to visit) and terrorized them for over an
hour, zip tied their hands and feet, covered their head with pillow
cases at gun point and stole everything. But my GOD took care of them and kept them safe. I only feel bad for
the children and innocent families left behind who had no idea how cruel
and crazy these guys were.They were ruthless and becoming more violent,
even cutting a man's private part. Not a day goes by I don't that GOD for giving my girls a 2nd chance.

JUSTICE was served!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So the news says "something went deadly wrong". Yup wrong! but I say "something went definitely RIGHT!!!! No one knows the truth. These 4 animals, brutally broke into a home in Broward County and took my daughters (waking them up from their sleep; not to mention my baby had just came home from college to visit) and terrorized them for over an hour, then zip tied their hands and feet, cover their head with pillow cases at gun point and only GOD took care of them and kept them safe. JUSTICE was served!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I only feel bad for the children and innocent families left behind who had no idea how cruel and crazy these guys were.They were ruthless and becoming more violent, cutting a man's private part. I bet the investigation skipped that part.

Yeah ok cops and criminals doing their thing. So all i'm saying is you reap what you sow. So yeah the cops feel like badasses right now . Just imagine one of those guys that got set up finding one of those officers with their kids and wife , then that guy pulls a double barrel shotgun and points at wifey and or kids . Now big badass has to explain well me and my bro cops did this and that. Now jr is dead . Yes i get home invasions and the torturing. But who are the cops to play executioner. I mean if the affected family does ok cool eye for an eye . Now if the police got them selves involved in it then suffer the consequences , so today you might feel me and my cop buddies are badasses yeah baby we killed them idiots. But maybe one day soon or later that person or their family might have a bone to pick with you and or your family.

The soldiers came to John the baptist and asked him what must we do to be saved? He said do no man violence and be satisfied with your wages. Satan showed Jesus all the Kingdoms on earth and told Him these were given to me, (via Adam and Eve sinning) and I will give them to you if you worship me. Apostle Paul said 'for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places'. This is a good example of Satan's influence over people in government which is why no government of man existing now will survive after His soon return. He will without hesitation dismantle everyone including this one. The holy angels will police the world and not men. These police are under the Devil's control. No badge qualifies as for getting into Heaven. You are being decieved.

Why should any hard-working, taxpayer, who respects the law feel sorry for these criminals. If they had not gone to that house trying to steal 20 pounds of weed, they wouldn't be dead. If they had chose to do something else other than break into someone's property carrying guns, they would be alive. They made the choices they made and they wound up dead for it. Too bad. Innocent people are hurt by people like these four guys on a daily basis and they don't get a 6 page article. Why are these guys so special? Because it was a police sting? Because they were shot by cops? Four criminals, with records, carrying guns? Come on New Times, really?

As you can see it appears that your attempt at drawing some sort of sympathy for Mr. Andrew has fallen on deaf ears. There are lots of people who grow up impoverished and manage to find a way out of the situation to become productive members of society. As much time as Antonio spent in jail he still found time time produce some off spring to carry on his lagacy.

"Antonio tried to be a good father," Ladonna says. "But how good of a relationship can you have when you keep going to jail?"

Yet you expect us to feel sorry for this guy. What because he managed to go 7 years without getting arrested? Congradu-F@#$%^G-lations. Here's the only really important question you need to ask; Was the world a better place with him in it? Why don't we ask some of his victims and I think you'll get your answer.

They have guns, they are sneaking through a yard to do to someone else what was done to them. The one who was the informant was there for the same reasons, steal and make money. His baby's mother says she knows he was bad but he wasn't that bad. To you maybe because you had his kid, what about all the lives he has ruined. "What comes around goes around!"

I love how it says they were killed "despite never firing at police." So basically the New Times wants the thugs to have a fighting chance at killing a cop before the cops can shoot them. Michael Miller is a thug lover

I'm just not seeing the downside to this. The cops can be a pain in the ass sometimes, for sure, but these extra-judicial punishments don't get me all that worked up when they get it right. This isn't the Fifties, and these aren't guys out stealing hubcaps, violent crews and street gangs should be exterminated. If it needs to be done on the margins of the law, so be it.

Typical of Miami New Times to berate the police department for actually doing something good for Miami. I'm not saying Miami Dade cops are saints, but those criminals deserved this. Has your home ever been invaded by gunmen? Its horrific.

These dead armed robbers broke into your homes people, tortured people, cut one guy's balls with a knife and used a hot curling iron to get people to give up their property. And here is pages and thousands of words written about the 'bad cops' killing the 'misunderstood armed robbers'.

Your communities are messed up, full of dealers, pimps, and thugs who you protect while they rob, rape, hurt and murder you. This reporter could have written about many things, but chose to stir up anger against cops for eliminating 7 violent, (yes his mama said he flipped out often), felons who each did decades in prison and had lengthy arrest records.

And whoever wrote this garbage , god forbid if a rape gang breaks into your home and tortures its occupants, at least you can feel good that your journalism was responsible for their freedom.

kudos for miami dade police dept.the families of these dead hoodlums got it coming to them if they think a jury is going to award them anything.these were bad asses that were justifiably shot.actually,if not for the waste of bullets,i would remove them from their tombs and shoot them again.

This story was written to disturb many people because four men are dead as result of this sting. The results however also mean that many people will not be the victims of these men in the future. The only down side of this sting was that one man survived. These creatures were of no value to society and nothing has been lost. Michael Miller or one of the other members of the New Times staff may have been there next victim, and that would be horribly wrong.

Miami has the sleeziest low-lives on the face of the warth, and The Miami New Times is the sleeziest rag of a newspaper on the face of the earth. Thug paper for Thug city. What a bunch of LOW LIVES! THANK YOU JIMMY CARTER!!

Gonzalez Sr. was told not to participate, but he chose otherwise. This tells me he took his chances playing against the police as well as being involved in criminal activity. You shouldn't trust any informant working for the police. The informant could have setup the police as well and the police officers could have lost their lives too.

Great Job Miami Dade!! Today in Miami, a officer shot a man that was EATING the face of another man. Yes, EATING, chewed half of the mans face off!! Please folks stop watching CSI MIami, LA .....and all that other garbage on TV. Police work is not simple nor easy, there are real animals out there that WILL rob, torture and kill with no remourse. Being a cop is not easy, they have to deal with corrupt politians, killers, violent robbers and lunatics everyday. Its funny to read TMT anti-police stories every week and the pro-criminals "who were changing their lives"Miami is one of the deadliest cities but the politicians dont want you to hear this. Violent crime does not sell newspaper ads, tourist vacations or Casinos at One Herald Plaza.

Oh and loving mom miss concerned saying gods name then saying they got what they deserveded they deserved to go to prison not murdered and I'm sorry to hear what happened to your daughters but being so joyful about people getting murdered when they should have went to prison doesn't sit well with me these guys went to steal marijuana right makes me wonder what your family was involved in so i wouldn't throw rocks and if your family was involved in illegal activities I wouldn't want to see the cops kill them either they should go to prison as well. No one should be above the lawEdit (in 4 minutes)

For what exactly being murders breaking the law shooting people in the back tampering with evidence moving the bodies lying about it they should be put in prison just like the guys they murder . killing some one after they give up is worst to me then robbery you must be one of the cops or a friend wrong is wrong mdpd shouldn't be covering this up they should make an example out of you or your friend

Innocent people? They were going after a grow house aka drug dealers . they weren't just shot by cops they were murdered by cops your looking at this all wrong forget about the four guys there are always going to be criminals but these police officer are suppose to be at a higher standard they murdered four people that yes should have went to prison I'm sorry 3 people one was the informant the guy who helped them set up the sting by. shooting them after they gave up ten moved the bodies around and tampered with evidence if this sit well with you there something wrong with you I wonder how many times thy falsified evidence and didn't get filmed

Mr Andrew didn't fucking killed no body asshole especially after giving up. what kind of fucking pussy dose that waits for a man to throw down his weapon give up then shoots and kills him a fucking pussy that's who why go through all that training. and how about the informant that help these low life murdering pigs set up this sting operation and his family they took these peoples lives there worst there murders

And who the fuck are you Nolan a cop dick rider these cops sshouldn't be cops not only did not fire a shot they through there guns down laid down unarmed were murdered then had there bodies moved this is an outrage you that type of person that won't get pissed till it happens to you or. Some one in your family

Yeah your right Mr Williams but right after that they should stick pikes up those murdering pigs ass and put in front of. The police station ass a warning to let them know there not the judge jury and executioner but also to the cops that are married. That was involved in this I'd have a detective check on there wives because the type of man that would shoot a unarmed man as they are giving up is the same type of man who would go home and beat his wife

They should have been put in prison they gave up .what this reporter is trying to do is stop police officers from thinking they can get away with murder no police officer is above the law and yes there a lot of crime out there but if you can't do your job with in the law then stand aside and let a real police officer have a chance we are the citizens your suppose to protect and serve they don't right to kill bully or abuse us

Amen !! But after ward take those same guns and shoot your serves in the face because your worthless mmurders that think your above the law .oh and cowards to shoot unarmed men laying on the ground same type of man that would do that is the same type of man that would go home and beat his wife

Thats where you wrong Jeffrey I'm sure they ment some thing to there families they should have went to prison and that comment you just left sounded kinda like a threat are you a police officer is that the way you guys conduct business I'd rather be robbed then murdered any day